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United Rugby Championship

Munster confirm five more players are leaving after URC final

By Liam Heagney

23 May 2023

Munster's Liam O'Connor (left) has retired from playing (Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

URC finalists Munster have revealed their full list of end-of-season leavers, with five more names added to the group that already included Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Healy. The Irish province take on the Stormers this Saturday in their league decider in Cape Town and their travel day to South Africa has coincided with confirmation of all the names of the players who won’t be with them for the 2023/24 season.

A statement read: “Munster Rugby can confirm the full list of players who will depart the province at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. It was confirmed earlier this season that Malakai Fekitoa (Benetton) and Ben Healy (Edinburgh) will join new clubs ahead of the 2023/24 season.

“Additionally, we can confirm that Liam O’Connor, Eoin O’Connor, Paddy Kelly, Oli Morris and academy player Conor Phillips have completed their time at the province. Prop Liam O’Connor has been advised to retire on medical grounds following successful surgery for a recent neck injury. Lock Eoin O’Connor will move abroad for a new playing opportunity.

“Lock Paddy Kelly has retired from professional rugby on medical grounds due to a concussion sustained earlier in the season. Paddy has received specialist medical care since the concussion and despite all efforts, the decision to retire was made in the best interests of his long-term health.

“Centre Oli Morris departs after joining Munster in October when Worcester Warriors went into administration.

It was early March when the stepped-back Chris Farrell exited Munster for a short-term opportunity in France. #ProD2 #URC https://t.co/FD1SUEdRr2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 11, 2023

“Winger Phillips departs after three years in the academy that included two senior appearances. A former Crescent College student, he is also an Ireland 7s international and plays his club rugby with Young Munster.

“Chris Farrell, James French and Dan Goggin all departed for new playing opportunities earlier this season. A big thanks to all of our departing players for their contributions to Munster Rugby and we wish them all the best for the future.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

ED 40 minutes ago

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This teamsheet is different to bears site and planet rugby.

1 Go to comments

Barry 1 hour ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 3 hours ago

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The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 7 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 7 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU